Deal Or No Deal Bingo

Channel 4 have today announced that the popular game show Deal Or No Deal has been axed. The show, which has been hosted by Noel Edmunds for 11 years and spawned over 3000 episodes, is expected to go out with a farewell tour. Channel 4 cite falling ratings for their decision but how will the end of the TV show effect Deal's popularity within the gaming industry.

Deal Or No Deal first came to prominence as a gambling title when Jackpotjoy launched a progressive slot and scratchcard game. This is still available to play at JPJ and over the years we have watched the jackpot climb and fall. However it's been a long time since the total reached the heights of £750,000 or more as it did in the early days.

DOND Bingo & Slots

Following the arrival of slots came a bingo version of the game in 2009. Surprisingly this was launched on the Virtue Fusion platform and is still a feature on sites such as Sky, Mecca, Gala and Paddy Power today. This was followed up in 2010 with a Deal Or No Deal Bingo brand. Again this is still active and links up with the official DOND social media platforms.

As is the way with gambling, once you have a hit formula it's a good idea to use it over and over again. So that means players can also play versions of DOND blackjack and DOND roulette. In 2016 a second Deal site was launched on the Dragonfish Slots network - Deal Or No Deal Spins - which we understand has done well, but has limited DOND games.

A Perfect Fit

So what happens to these various slots, games and sites now? Well for the time being we don't think Channel 4's decision will have much impact on them. However waning popularity of the TV show could effect interest in the brand. On the other hand it may work in reverse and increase the popularity of the games as players look for their Deal fix elsewhere. Endemol, for example, may see it as an opportunity to raise the profile of their bingo site and Deal community?

Another key point is that Deal fits brilliantly into a gambling situation. Whether it's bingo, slots, blackjack or roulette, the 22 box game and The Banker are ideal foils to keep players interested. Out of all the TV gaming variants we've played, Deal is head and shoulders above the rest. We may never make it to The Dream Factory but we can always have a go at playing the boxes whether it's at Jackpotjoy, DOND Bingo or DOND Spins.

New Opportunity

Whilst it will be a loss from our TV screens, we'd be amazed to see Deal Or No Deal fade away altogether from the bingo and casino side. It definitely feels like an opportunity to give it a new lease of life through the gambling medium - at least until a new TV game show comes close to offering a similar opportunity.

Details about Channel 4's decision to end Deal Or No Deal's run can be found on their website. In addition you'll find details about the programme's farewell tour, what's next for Noel Edmunds and some interesting DOND facts.